Environment Canterbury to rebuild on new site

Environment Canterbury has reached agreement
in principle with the Christchurch Central Development Unit
(CCDU) to rebuild their Christchurch office within the
“south frame” highlighted in the Christchurch Central
Recovery Plan.

Damaged beyond repair in the February 2011
earthquake, Environment Canterbury’s former offices at 58
Kilmore Street have since been partly demolished and the
site will be clear of buildings shortly. The buildings and
their contents were insured. Environment Canterbury is
currently operating out of several temporary locations
across the city and further afield.

Environment Canterbury
has worked with the CCDU in developing a plan to build new
offices at a site on Tuam Street. Situated within the
CCDU’s proposed south frame, this new location offers an
opportunity for Environment Canterbury to contribute to and
be a key part of the revitalisation of the city’s Central
Business District.

Preliminary plans have been drawn up
for a new building of similar floor area to Environment
Canterbury’s Kilmore Street offices. In addition the new
building will have a basement car park to meet the south
frame requirement of reduced visible vehicle parking.

The
Tuam Street land purchase and building is projected to cost
$41 million. This will be funded by the sale of the Kilmore
Street premises, insurance payments, and an expected $3
million additional funding. This funding will be sourced
from the organisation’s existing property rent
structure.

Dame Margaret Bazley, Chair of Environment
Canterbury, welcomes the opportunities that the new site
offers. “This exciting news about the Tuam Street site
sends out a strong and positive message that
Christchurch’s recovery is underway, and affirms
Environment Canterbury’s commitment to the city’s
rebuild. Bringing Environment Canterbury’s staff back to
one site in the central city will be a boost for our staff
and the city and will help Environment Canterbury to deliver
its functions in the most efficient way.”

The Minister
for Earthquake Recovery, Hon. Gerry Brownlee, also welcomes
the news. “The Christchurch Central Recovery Plan is a
bold piece of urban planning into which a great deal of
thought and consultation has been put. It is immensely
encouraging to see Environment Canterbury committing to this
Recovery Plan in this way. As the Christchurch rebuild
gathers pace we will see more and more organisations and
businesses reconnecting and committing once again to the
central
city.”

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